This is a very clever book, written in a deceptively simple style but there is, in reality, nothing simple about it.

Daniel is writing to Lucy, who, he has decided, will be the only one he tells his story to and as some of it was also correspondence between himself and his friend, Ruby, it is in part letters within letters. Gradually Dan explains not only what happened to thrust him into the limelight but also why and how it all came about.

I read this book in one sitting, something I very rarely do, as it held my attention from the very first line. I love books which surprise me, cause 'ohhh' moments or leave me wanting more and as this book drew to a close all three requirements were met many times over. There were clues throughout as to what had happened to Dan but there was never a  feeling of anything being dummed down or hidden away. Everything was there for the reader to discover and even though Daniel was guiding us there was always the chance to see things from a different perspective.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it unreservedly to anyone who enjoys an original,  tautly written thriller or experiencing a new author's work. That this is a first novel definitely bodes well for the future.

This novel messed with my mind and left me in a place, a little dark place, *nudges* get it?? All jokes aside it was such a unique and twisted psychological thriller. It starts off in a conventional way and just ends somewhere so far off from where we begin with Dan and the other characters. While I predicted certain elements of the story along the way, the central few twists still took me by surprise and it was an unnerving reading experience for sure.

The novel is told entirely in the form of a letter from Daniel, the main character to someone called Lucy. I’m a big fan of epistolary novels so this was an unexpected but welcome surprise in a thriller. I don’t think I’ve read any other thrillers that make use of this device in the same way. It really worked well in this novel and heightened both the mystery and sense of foreboding. I also thought there was a nice symmetry in this choice as we read the story through letters and get to know these characters, and Daniel and Ruby also converse through letters.

At times, the pacing was a little off and it felt like it was dragging in places where there could have been more plot development or just any action at all. However the way it all comes together more than makes up for these slower moments in the novel as when it got going, it was so engaging. This is the kind of book which will have you questioning each and every one of the characters motivations and you’ll be suspicious of every one. Whether this suspicion is warranted or whether it’s because of Dan and his fractured state of mind as the novel progresses is a key question.

I felt for the characters as they go through a lot as individuals and for Dan and Victoria, as a couple when they face setback after setback when trying for a baby. A. S Hatch explores quite a few important themes such as domestic violence, abuse, grief, miscarriage and cheating to name a few. Some are explored more than others but I believe Hatch does so sensitively and I felt empathy for these characters even in their most morally grey moments. While the novel ends in quite a shocking way, it’s also quite sad which fits the tone of the novel well. It’s a complex and well written novel and I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for an original story in the mystery and thriller genre.

How well do you know your girlfriend?

How well do you know your lover?

How well do you know yourself?

Daniel and Victoria are together. They're trying for a baby. Ruby is in prison, convicted of assault on an abusive partner. But when Daniel joins a pen pal program for prisoners, he and Ruby make contact. At first, the messages are polite, neutral - but soon they find themselves revealing more and more about themselves. Their deepest fears, their darkest desires. And then, one day, Ruby comes to find Daniel. And now he must decide who to choose - and who to trust.

This Little dark Place. It seems not little, but enormous. What a brilliant read. I did to an all-nighter to finish the book. Few books do this. A.S. Hatch I will follow.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Ever since studying Bram Stoker's Dracula there has been something about epistolary style novels that really intrigues me, I like the way you experience an intense association with the narrator by hearing events only in their voice, other characters are only viewed through their eyes which can make them even more intriguing as you don't get to hear from them directly. This novel for me delivered the above very well. The narrators voice was strong and the elements of mystery in what was being revealed at what points made the book an absolute page turner, the secondary characters were given enough life to fully imagine them through the narrators words as well as being distant enough to keep your curiosity high about them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fast paced mysteries

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

The novel is written in the first person by Daniel, as a letter to Lucy. It is a slow burn of a story, as our narrator describes his upbringing and his marriage to Victoria. One lonely night, Daniel joins an online pen pal site to correspond with prison inmates. And...no spoilers. This very original book was suspenseful and ominous and I couldn’t put it down. What a good book!

This Little Dark Place by A.S Hatch is by far my favourite book of 2019. I do not even know where to begin writing to say how good this book was. The characters, plot, twists, suspense and narrative had me on the edge of my seat throughout and I was so sad when it finally came to the end.

I will start with the characters. Each character the reader meets within the novel has been clearly devised through huge amount of research and effort. Each character is fleshed out we learn to think, feel and breathe like them. I have never read a book that does this as well as A.S Hatch has done. The main character "Dan" is so likeable it keeps you guessing as your read as to why he is in prison? Surely a lovely guy like himself couldn't end up behind bars? The female characters in the book especially Ruby make you feel so many emotions is hard to know where your head is at between her relationship with Dan.

In terms of the plot, it is such a clever and refreshing style of writing as it is written through Dan's letters to someone called Lucy. You get to feel how Dan feels and how he thinks from page to page. The story starts of by Dan going to the very start of his life. We find out about his parents, where he lives and about the experiences he has been through (don't want to give too much away). You instantly like Dan and are keen to know more about him. Dan continues to tell his story and you go through his emotions as he writes them down on paper to Lucy. When we meet Ruby we are constantly questioning her motives and we are always thinking if we can trust her.

The twists throughout the book are ones I have not experienced they are jaw dropping and I found myself reading and recapping the page where it was revealed to make sure I was not missing anything. (Not giving anything else away about the twists)

In terms of suspense I was constantly on edge and did not want to put it down to work, eat or sleep. Hatch writes in a way which is easy to follow yet complex enough to keep you engaged and interested. As the story fleshes out the suspense unfolds more and more.

Likewise with the narrative structure of the book it is told through Dan's letters to Lucy and as already mentioned it is a refreshing and creative way of structuring a novel.

In conclusion I have to say that for a debut novel, A.S Hatch as done amazingly well, I was blown away. This is my favourite book of 2019 so far, but I doubt it will be topped! I am honoured to have been given an ARC copy by NetGalley and Serpent's Tail in exchange for an honest review! I can't wait to see what A.S Hatch does next.

Wow what a riveting read. Full of intrigue and suspense This Little Dark Place had me reading into the early hours to reach the end. I liked the way the story is mainly told via various letters to and from some great characters. At times I could feel the anxiety, pain, happiness of the characters as it was so well written.
A brilliant read with a surprise ending which I never expected which left me thinking about the book days after I had finished it.

Had a hard time getting into this one, but glad I stuck with it. It got really good at the end!!

Thanks to net galley and the publisher for an early release if this book.

This is really a dark and creepy little number! But in the best possible way. Lots of twists and turns and despicable characters but I could not put this down. The end surprised me which doesn't happen often and now I am wanting to read more from this author. If you are looking for a dark and sinister poolside read this is it. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Firstly I must say, if this is an authors Debut I look forward to watching their career.
I was hooked on this book from the very begging. The book is told in the format of letters which I loved. It was the perfect format for this story. It gave it such an ominous feel that really kept you diving for the next page.
I felt like our main narrator Dan was extremely relatable in his very flawed way. His dark and brooding inner thoughts really flesh him out.
My only complaint is that I felt like things escalated from kinda normal to very dire so quickly. I would have believed the climax of this book a little more if we’d had a little more tension and stress. That said, this book was not what I expected at all in the best way. It wasn’t predictable and it kept you on end up until the very end (with a fantastic final twist)
Can’t wait to see more from this author.
Thank you so much serpents tail and netgally for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Loved this book, and the way it was told through letter writing. This premise really works for this book. The tension definitely builds throughout the book. I particularly enjoyed the location the book was set and I think the author did a really good job of using the description of the setting to contribute to the tension that was created. As the book progressed I did guess elements of the ending but this did not detract from the overall enjoyment. Thank you for very much. I look forward to reading future work by the author.

A powerful tale of obsessive love and betrayal, full of unexpected twists. Great read, fully recommended!

4 stars

What a great debut novel! I knew only 2 things by the middle but some of the ending definitely surprised me. I liked the letter set up in the novel but the switching up to the present could be a little unclear sometimes. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I received a free arc of the book for an honest review from net galley and Serpent's Tale.

Fabulous debut novel. Narrated by Dan, as a series of letters to and from a pen pal convict you quickly doubt everyone in this twisted, engaging story. Who is who? This little Dark Place is a black hole I was thrilled to be sucked into, willingly.

I'm still a little confused as to what to say about this book. The length was good as I feel if this would have continued much longer, I would have lost interest. I feel parts in the middle were slow going and predictable. Never would have guessed the ending though or believed that characters would basically end up switching places!

3.5 stars!!! Told through letters from the main character Dan to someone named Lucy was a very interesting way to tell the story. I really enjoyed this concept. It took a little bit for the story to pick up steam but when it did I couldn’t stop reading it. Really makes you think about how our actions and inactions affect the way things in life turn out. The atmosphere of the cottage is creepy and sets a definite tone for how things play out. Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent’s Tail publishing, and A.S. Hatch for the ARC!!

An excellent debut by A.S. Hatch. It starts with Dan writing a letter to Lucy telling his story of what transpired on that fateful October. His tale involves two women Victoria and Ruby and how they influence and affect his life. However, this book is so much more full of tension and second guessing. Well written with imagery and character development. Satisfying ending.

Thanks Netgalley for a ARC and introducing me to a new author.

Highly readable, dark little book that I found myself racing through. In a short book, the author conjures up convincing, flawed, very human characters that one can’t help but empathise with.

This book was a very different storyline than I had originally imagined. It was a tad confusing at times trying to keep track of who the narrator was talking to, however it did take a turn I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the mystery that the author conveyed through the different writing style that they used.
Incarceration is not typically a topic that is included in books, and especially the subject of being pen pals with an inmate. I truly was captivated by the writing style of this book and would be very intrigued to read more by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and opinion.

Daniel and Victoria are together. They're trying for a baby. Ruby is in prison, convicted of assault on an abusive partner. But when Daniel joins a pen pal program for prisoners, he and Ruby make contact. At first the messages are polite, neutral - but soon they find themselves revealing more and more about themselves. Their deepest fears, their darkest desires. And then, one day, Ruby comes to find Daniel. And now he must decide who to choose - and who to trust.




Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.